The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-04-28

upon their feet ut precisel. the same
time. Two have tumbled head over
heels, as far as the entry-sC emlnS at
every moment to dislocate IL emSelves
putting their grotesquely painted
faces between their legs. The third
one stands still, looking up at ii 'e rope
dancer as she makes her first step
What is he going to do? Som ethinS
extremely absurd, no doubt. n o use
looking up there, old fellow; her miles
are not for yOui
Mario seems to be a very cOnsciien-
tious fellow. No one is looking at
him; but he goes on with his perform
ance all the same. Now he is there in
the middle of the arena, trembling in
every limb. What farce. She is the
one who is doing the dangerous feats,
and he is the one who does the trem-
bling. But that Is old, my friend-a
played out sort of farce!-One would
have expected something better from II
clown of such widespread reputation.
Besides, you don't even vary your per-
formance! Everybody's had enough
of it. What fun is there, you great
fool, in mocking the dancer and hold
ing up your arms as if she was going
to fallP That sort of comedy doesn't
interest everybody-
''Ohr'
One scream of fear bursts from five
thousand throats simultaneously. All
of sudden the iron wire has snapped
under the dancers feet; and she falls
turning over and over in her fall.
The whole audience rises up-men
and women all white with fear.
At the same moment the woman and
the clown roll on the sand together.
BY Il miracle of strength and quickness
Mario has caught Miss Dora in his
arms!
They are both lifted up and carried
out. Miss Dora, it is found,
has received no injury; she only tainted
from the shock. But the man who
wrought that miracle, Mario the clown,
is less lucky. A broken arm and dis
located shoulders
'.He is spoiled for the business for
good!f' said the manager of the cir
Gus.
Two days later, Miss Dora was seat
ed by the bedside of her former adorer.
ssPoor Mario, How do you find
yourself to-day?"
$50 so," answered the sufferer with
melancholy smile.
81 owe you my life, Mario, and I'll
never forget you for it."
"Ohr' said the young man, with
sudden brightness of hope in his eyes,
''will you love me again?'
'.Yes; but not as you want me to.
Now, Mario, don't let us talk any more
nonsense! l want to tell you about
something else. Did you hear what
they have fosnd out?"
NO"
'.Well, the wire was cut"
"Ahr'
''And the guilty party has been az
rested"
Guilty party! Who's that?'
1.-The head property-man. You know
that fool had to put out of the dress
ing-room one night?n
'.Him!-he never did it-never in
the worldn'
"How do you know? They have ar
rested him, and all the proofs are
against him."
There was silence for moment, and
Mario's face became singularIy con-
tracted. He seemed to be struggling
with some strong impulse. Then he
said, all at once, in Il husky voice:
''Listcn, Dora-that man must be re-
leased"
"Why?"
'sRecause it was not he that cut the
wire"
But what do you know about itp"
Il am certain of what | say"
.'Then who did cut the Mire?n
Il did"
.You!'
The young woman pushed back her
chair with Il gesture Of terror.
Il beg of you don't 90, he sobbed.
Forgive me. | loved you SO much it
made me crazy"
Miss Dora had already risen. COldly,
and without word, she walked to the
door, opened it and passed out
Tne poor wretch, helpless in his bed,
heard the dry sound of her shoes de-
scending the stairs and the silkep trOW
frOu of her dress.
land to thinkr' he cried out in a
burst of rage, Ito think that it was for
such creature that | almost killed
myselfr fr'-IraRslGted from the French,
in NeW Orleans Times-Democrat.